Increased School Aid

News From New York State
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
For Immediate Release: April 4, 2012    
Contact: Antonio Rodriguez | arodrigu@nysenate.gov | (518) 455-3531

**PRESS RELEASE**

Senator Huntley Applauds Passage of Increased
School Aid in 2012-2013 State Budget

(Albany, NY) Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) announced that with passage of the 2012-2013 State Budget, schools throughout New York State will received much needed increased funding during the next fiscal year.

“Last year’s budget contained devastating cuts for New York’s education system, causing districts to make difficult choices and putting us on the verge of an educational crisis,” Senator Huntley explained. “I am pleased that we are once again making education a priority with this budget, and have included additional funds to ensure that our students receive the high-quality education they all deserve.”

The State Budget includes a total of approximately $20.4 billion for school aid, representing an increase of $805 million in total education spending. Funds include performance grants to reward academic improvement and school district efficiencies and most of the increased resources will be targeted to high needs school districts.

Additionally, the budget includes a total of $125 million to be allocated for performance grants to incentivize educators throughout the state to improve the quality of education provided to New York’s students.

New York City Schools will receive much needed funding to help enhance and improve the academic opportunities for 1.1 million students. As the largest school district in the nation, New York City Schools must be properly and fairly funded as argued in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit. Neighborhoods in Queens and throughout NYC with large minority communities would benefit the most from the increased funding.  Schools will see about a $292 million dollar increase from last year’s budget.

“The Senate Democratic Conference has long called for increased funding for public schools to ensure they had the resources necessary to educate the next generation of New Yorkers,” Senator Huntley concluded. “This budget is a good first step, but more will be needed. New York’s children deserve the very best education, and our conference will continue to work to ensure they get it.”